A recent study by the RAND Corp. finds that changes to zoning in Los Angeles were associated with a reduction in crime in surrounding neighborhoods, the bulk of which added housing to blocks that had retail or other commercial uses.

On average, the 180 neighborhoods where there were zoning changes between 2006 and 2010—which typically lead to new development—saw their crime rates reduced by about 7% compared with other neighborhoods, particularly auto thefts, the study said. Read More »